Velasquez Plans Withdrawal from USADA Test Pool

It appears Cain Velasquez’s appearance on WWE’s Friday Night Smackdown is the start of a full-time turn towards professional wrestling, and subsequently, the official end of his MMA career.

Sources tell MMAJunkie that Velasquez has informed the UFC of his intention to withdraw from the USADA testing pool, which would effectively signal his retirement.

Velasquez had his first pro wrestling bout in August and his second last month, both times earning praise across the wrestling and combat sports communities for his performances. He appeared on Smackdown‘s premiere on FOX to attack new WWE champion and fellow former UFC star Brock Lesnar, who he defeated at UFC 121 in 2010 to become UFC heavyweight champion.

Velasquez made his MMA debut in 2006, and after one fight each in Strikeforce and BodogFight, made his UFC debut at UFC 83 in 2008. Velasquez started his MMA career 9-0, which culminated in his win over Lesnar. He, however, lost his first defense against Junior dos Santos in UFC’s own FOX premiere in 2011.

Velasquez rebounded with a win over Antonio Silva, regaining the title from JDS and retaining the title against both men before losing it to Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188. Velasquez defeated Travis Browne at UFC 200 but injuries prevented him from fighting for nearly three years before competing at UFC Phoenix, the UFC’s first event on the main ESPN channel, losing in 32 seconds to Francis Ngannou.